Last year was a devastating one for Colette Murphy from Coventry – it was the year she suffered a stroke at the age of just 37.

And 2012 was also the year a relative and a close friend of hers both gave birth to babies with life-threatening conditions in close succession.

Her stroke in February last year was life-changing as it led to the loss of what she had strived for, her home and fancy dress business, in Holbrooks.

She was working in the shop when she suddenly lost the ability to move her left leg. In the panic, her mum rushed her to a GP who advised her to go to hospital.

Colette was paralysed down the left side of her body, was wheelchair-bound for six months and due to her mobility issues was forced to move home and close her treasured business. It was a year before she was able to walk unaided again.

“I’m not the woman I was before the stroke,” said Colette, of Coundon.

“I was a busy businesswoman with a thriving business before. Now I work in a call centre, although I don’t see it as a demotion. I’m just glad I now have my life back together.”

After weeks in hospital and months of rehabilitation, she is back on her feet at last.

And Colette credits the work of health services and the support of the Stroke Association charity for helping to build her life again. She also wants to combat the image that strokes only happen to older people.

She said: “There are so many people raising awareness of lots of different illnesses and diseases but people really do not know anywhere near enough about how strokes can happen, the warning signs, and just how many young people including children are affected too.’’

To support the work of the Stroke Association, Colette has formed a fundraising group called Colette’s Causes.

The group is also generating cash for Birmingham Children’s Hospital which is caring for the two poorly toddlers who were born while Colette was in hospital and are dear to her heart.

One of them, her second cousin 16-month-old Darwin Payne, suffers from a rare heart defect and Ruby Wood, the daughter of one of Colette’s friends, is the other tiny tot to have touched her life. She was born with Apert syndrome. Her skull, fingers and toes fused prematurely.

On Sunday, acts will perform at The Establishment Bar and Grill in Coventry city centre for a Colette’s Causes charity night. It starts at 7pm, headlined by Neville Staple.